Coffin-fastener



(No Model.)

0. E. RICHARDS. GOPFIN FASTENER.

Patented Nov. 5, 1889.

I ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. PhoiuLlihagmpher, Wash; nnnnnn C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. RICHARDS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

COFFlN-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 414,326, dated November 5, 1889.

Application filed March 11, 1889.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES E. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fastenings for Burial- Oaskets, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to produce a device which can be used both for a hinge and a fastening for a burial-casket.

The nature of the invention consists in the details of combination and construction substantially as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, hereinafter described, and subsequently pointed out in the claim.

Figure 1 illustrates an ordinary burialcasket with my invention attached. Figs. 2, 3, 4C, and 5 are detail sectional views illustrating the same in various ways.

Upon the edges of the casketcover a are placed four or more catches, designated, respectively, by L t" 7tk. These are secured by screws passing through their bases 0 d. Upon the edges of the bottom of the casket are fastened the metallic plates 6, f, g, and h. These are each formed with an L-shaped slot, most clearly illustrated by h of Fig. 5. These are adapted and arranged so that the said catches will all simultaneously slip each into one end of a corresponding slot, in which case the foot of the casket-cover would reach a little beyond the bottom; but the slots in these plates are so arranged that when the catches have been so put in they may, by pushing the cover up toward the head be slipped into a narrower part of the slot, as illustrated in section in Figs. 2 and 4. At the same time the head 0" of the spring 0 falls into the notch 0 of the said plate and prevents the fastening from slipping back, and so the cover is securely fastened on the casket. This spring 0 is fastened to and slips with the casket-cover; but when it is desired to open the casket the head 0" of the spring 0 is lifted out of the The cover will then be free to slip notch 0.

Serial No. 302,859. (No model.)

down, and, being pushed down a little, brings the fasteners into the Wide part of the slots in said plates, and then the cover may be opened. To facilitate the raising of the head of said spring out of said notch, an extension of said head reaches a little without the edge of the cover, so that it Will be convenient for the operator to lift it with his finger. I/Vhen the cover of the casket has been so slipped down, the operator may lift it straight off entirely, or, if it be more desirable, he can lift only one edge of the cover. Then the fasteners on the other side of the lid, performing the part of hinges, will assume the position illustrated in Fig. 3 and there designated by the proper letters. The cover may thus be opened from either side, and the fasteners on either side may be used as hinges for the lid to turn on. When required, the casket is to be closed, as hereinbefore described. Otherwise than as herein described this burial-casket is used in the common and well-known Way.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with a burial-casket and metallic plates formed with L-shaped slots and transverse notches fastened upon the edges thereof, asillustrated and described, of catches fastened upon the edges of the cover of said casket and arranged and adapted each to engage the L-shaped slot in one of said metallic plates, as specified, and springs fastened to said cover and each arranged and adapted to engage said transverse notch in one of said metallic plates, and all of said parts arranged as specified, so that facility is afforded for using the same both asfasteners and hinges, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. RICHARDS.

\Vitnesses:

F. W. RUBIEN, NELLIE BULKLEY. 

